crack
krak
Crack (verb) means to break, split, or form a line of damage without falling completely apart. Example: “The old vase cracked when it was dropped.”
verb
1
To break, split, or form a line of damage without falling completely apart.
"The old vase cracked when it was dropped."
"Ice on the pond began to crack under his weight."
"The plate cracked down the middle when I poured in boiling water."
2
To solve a difficult problem or figure something out.
"Scientists finally cracked the code after years of research."
"It took me an hour to crack the puzzle in the newspaper."
"The engineers cracked the problem by trying a completely different method."
3
To break down or give in under pressure, especially during questioning or stress.
"After hours of interrogation, the suspect finally cracked and confessed."
"She cracked under the stress of the exams and burst into tears."
"He never cracks, even when the deadline is looming."
4
To make a joke.
"She cracked a joke about the weather and the whole table laughed."
"My uncle always cracks jokes at family dinners, even when nobody is listening."
"He cracked a joke to ease the tension in the room."
noun
1
A thin line or split in a surface.
"There's a crack running down the middle of the windshield."
"A tiny crack in the mug made it leak slowly."
"Water got into the crack in the pavement and froze."
2
A sharp, sudden noise, like a whip snapping or a bone breaking.
"A loud crack echoed through the woods as the branch snapped."
"We heard the crack of a whip across the field."
"The crack of thunder made the dog hide under the table."
3
Slang: crack cocaine, a potent, addictive form of cocaine.
"The neighborhood had struggled with crack for decades."
How to use crack
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo break or split, to solve something, to break down under pressure, or to make a joke — plus, as a noun, a split or a sharp sound.
Common mistake
Context matters a lot here — "crack" can mean very different things (a joke, a drug, a sound, a break) depending on the sentence.
Common pairings
crack a joke
crack under pressure
crack the case
crack in the wall
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Word forms
- Plural
- cracks
- Third person singular
- cracks
- Past tense
- cracked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old vase _____ when it was dropped.
Etymology
From Old English cracian, meaning "to make a sudden loud noise" — the "break" and "joke" senses both grew from this basic idea of a sharp snap.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for crack
See all rhymes for crack →Frequently asked questions
What does “crack” mean?
The word “crack” means to break, split, or form a line of damage without falling completely apart. In plain terms, to break or split, to solve something, to break down under pressure, or to make a joke — plus, as a noun, a split or a sharp sound.
How do you pronounce “crack”?
“Crack” is pronounced krak (/kɹæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “crack” in a sentence?
Here is “crack” used in a sentence: “The old vase cracked when it was dropped.”
What part of speech is “crack”?
Depending on how it is used, “crack” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “crack” come from?
The word “crack” comes from Old English. From Old English cracian, meaning "to make a sudden loud noise" — the "break" and "joke" senses both grew from this basic idea of a sharp snap.
Is “crack” a common word?
“Crack” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “crack” have?
“Crack” has 7 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to break, split, or form a line of damage without falling completely apart.
What is the difference between crack and break?
When something cracks, it splits or forms a line of damage but generally stays in one piece — a cracked phone screen still holds together. When something breaks, it separates into two or more pieces or stops working. Cracking is often the first stage; continued stress turns a crack into a break.
What is the difference between crack and shatter?
Cracking forms one or more fracture lines while the object largely keeps its shape. Shattering is sudden and total — the object bursts into many small fragments at once. A window can crack from a stone and still stand; a harder blow makes it shatter across the whole pane.
Can glass crack without breaking?
Yes. Glass often cracks while remaining in place, held together by its frame, coatings, or the surrounding pane. Temperature changes, pressure, or a light impact can start a crack that spreads slowly. The glass is damaged and weakened, but it has not yet separated into pieces or fallen apart.
What are the figurative meanings of crack?
Beyond physical damage, 'crack' has many figurative uses. To crack a code or problem is to solve it; to crack a joke is to tell one; to crack under pressure is to lose composure. A voice can crack with emotion, and to 'crack down' means to enforce rules strictly.
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